P.J. Brown is the latest Heat honoree

Brown, a core member of Heat contenders in the late stages of the 20th century, “kind of went underground” to his native Louisiana with his family after winning his only championship with the Celtics and retiring in the year 2008. In fact, his teammate with those Celtics, Ray Allen, said Tuesday that he hadn’t seen Brown since.

“I went to a couple of Hornets games this year,” Brown said. “In the last five years, I’ve probably been to about five games.”

Brown returned Tuesday as an Heat honoree, as part of his 25th season celebration. His one Heat regret? No title, with a team that included Tim Hardaway and Alonzo Mourning.

“I always felt we should have gotten one,” Brown said. “But I’m very proud of what we accomplished.”

And he may ultimately decide to accomplish more in the NBA.

“A lot of the old-timers, a lot of the legends, they say these young guys need you to be a mentor, just be there for advice, to kind of guide guys,” Brown said. “I have a lot of knowledge about the game, on and off the floor, I’m not going to close the door. The game is always in you, man.”